Flexible indexing strip



June 24, 1941. c. D. BUTTERBAUGH FLEXIBLE INDEXING STRIP Filed Aug. 4, 1940 Patented June 234, 1941 FLEXIBLE INDEXING STRIP Charles D. Butterbaugh, South Bend, Ind. Application August 4, 19M), Serial No. 351,337

2 Claims.

This invention relates to flexible indexing strip and more particularly to strips adapted to contain data for reference purposes and to be supported in a frame or panel.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide strip material in continuous form for use on a manifolding machine or the like, which can be separated into individual indexing strips to be placed into a frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide indexing strips having smooth, uniform edges for easy mounting in a frame. According to one important feature, the strips are scored adjacent their edges to provide fold lines upon which the edges may be bent back. In addition to forming smooth edges, the folded portions tend to spring the strip out against receiving channels so that it will be held lightly in place regardless of variations in channel width.

The above and other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a face View of a strip embodying the invention for use on manifolding machines;

Figure 2 is a View similar to Figure 1, without the manifolding feature;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section showing the strip mounted in a frame; and

Figure 4 is a face view of an individual strip.

The strip shown in Figure 1 comprises a sheet of paper of indeterminate length and formed of relatively heavy stock, but which does not require any backing or other reinforcement. One edge of the sheet is formed as a feeding strip 2 having a series of spaced feed holes 3 for cooperation with the usual feeding mechanism of a manifolding machine. The feeding strip is joined to the body of the sheet by a longitudinal perforation 4 so that the feeding strip may readily be detached.

The main body of the sheet is divided into a series of individual indexing strips of the desired width by a series of transverse perforations 5. Between the perforations the strips may be marked with lines 6 many other desired division lines may be printed thereon.

According to one feature of the invention score lines I are formed in the sheet parallel to and adjacent its edges. The score lines may be rolled or cut into the sheet during its manufacture and insure that the edge portions may be bent up at the desired place. Preferably, however, the score lines do not weaken the sheet sufficiently to remove all of its resilience so that the edges tend to spring back after they have been folded.

In using the strip it may be marked with the desired information in a manifolding or like machine and the required number of individual strips may be removed from the machine. The feeding strip 2 may be torn off at the perforations t, leaving the strip in the form shown in Figure 2. It will be understood that if the strip is to be filled out on a typewriter or by hand, the feeding strip 2 may be omitted, the original strip then having the form shown in Figure 2.

Individual indexing strips may then be separated by tearing along the perforations 5. After an individual strip has been removed, its edge portions may be folded forward at the scorings l as shown in Figures 3 and i. As best seen in Figure 3, the paper is not broken at the scorings so that the edge portions tend to spring out straight again.

The individual strips are adapted to be mounted in a frame such as is shown in Figure 3. This frame includes a plane back 3 having bent over channels 9 at its edges providing grooves to receive the edges of the strips.

The strips may be assembled in the frame by flexing them outwardly at the center and placing the folded ends in the channels 9. When the strip is released, it will spring into place with its back lying flat against the frame back 8 and with its folded ends supported in the channels.

It will be noted that the folded ends of the strip tend to spring out and frictionally engage the channels a to hold the strip in place. Because of this construction and cooperation the strips will be held properly regardless of slight variations in the width of the channels or their distance apart and the body of the strip will lie flat against the back 8 at all times.

While one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail, it will be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited thereto, nor otherwise than by the limitations of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Flexible indexing strips in continuous sheet form comprising an elongated sheet of paper formed with spaced transverse lines of perforations and having longitudinal scorings adjacent its edges, the edge portions of the sheet beyond said scorings being adapted to be folded over to provide smooth edges to fit in a guide channel.

2. Flexible indexing strips in continuous sheet form comprising an elongated sheet of paper formed with spaced transverse lines of perforations and having longitudinal scorings adjacent its edges, the edge portions of the sheet beyond said scorings being adapted to be folded over to provide smooth edges to fit in a guide channel, and a feeding strip secured along one edge of said sheet by a longitudinal line of perforations, said feeding strip being formed with a series of feed openings.

CHARLES D. BUTTERBAUGH. 

